Automatic reversing mechanism for ink ribbons



E. W. HART.

AUTOMATIQ REVERSING MECHANISM FOR INK RIBBONS. APPLICATION FILED nc.9. 191s.

. 1,363,509 Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- A 7 z zmafmwg E. w. HART. AUTOMATIC REVERSING MECHANISM FOR INK RIBBONS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-9, I9l8- 1,363,509. Patented Dec.28,1920-.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. W. HART.

AUTOMATIC REVERSING MECHANISM FOR INK RIBBONS.

APPLICATION'FILED 020.9, I918.

1,363,509. Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- jiuezzZEr fdward/lflflarp UNITED stares rarsn'r oFFICE.

EDWARD W. HART, OF OIEAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR TO IX IORRIS CASH AND CREDIT REGISTER COMPANY, F OliIAl-IA. NEBRASKA, is. CORPORATION OF MAINE.

AUTOMATIC REVEBSZNG .ivLEUli'ifAIil'ISlVI FOR INK-RIBBONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

73atented Dec. 28, 1920.

Application filed December 9, 1918. Serial No. 265,825.

' application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation, the actuating mechanism of a cash register, embodying my improved ribbon reversing mechanism.

Fig. 2 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a side elevation of parts of the automatic reversing mechanism and shows said parts in changed position from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a vertical section through parts of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the plane of the section being indi cated by the line 38 of Fig. 1.

Fig. l illustrates horizontal plan sectional view of parts shown in 3, the plane of the section being indicated by the line et-t of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 illustrates a vertical section through parts of the cash register mechanism, to which my invention has been applied, and shows the relative location of the two ribbon spool shafts, the plane of the section being indicated by the line of F ig. 3.

Fig. 6 illustrates a view similar to that shown in Fig. 3, but with the parts shown in changed relation.

Fig. 7 illustrates a detail vertical section through parts of the automatic reversing mechanism, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are views in elevation of parts of the reversing mechanism which will be more specifically referred to later.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic reversing mechanism for ink ribbon wind and rewind spoolsand consists of the matters hereinafter describedand more. particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

an eflicient, simple and automatic means for reversing the feed of an ink ribbon from one spool to the other spool, so that, as when unwinding from the first spool and winding upon the second spool, the end is approached on the first spool, said spool will begin to rewind the ribbon, which will then be unwound from the second spool, and vice versa.

The invention is herein illustrated and descril ed as used in connection with the mechanism of a cash register of the type shown in the patent to J. L. Morris and A. W. Larimore, No. 1,292,354- of Jan. 21, 1919, but as is apparent, the invention may be incor po nted in other machines where its peculiar characteristics make it advantageous to do so.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings :-10 indicates one of a pair of upright side frame members of the cash register mechanism, and 11. indicates a cover plate which is pivoted at its ends to the said frame members by screws 12, so as to swing in av vertical plane.

13 and 1st indicate respectively the rear and front ribbon spool shafts respectively. The rear spool shaft is journaled in bearings 15 carried by the cover plate 11 (see Fig. 5), while the front ribbon spool shaft is journaled at its ends in the side frame members 10. Fixed to one end of the shaft 1a, beyond the frame 10, is a ratchet wheel 16, and fixed to the corresponding end of the shaft 13 within the frame 10, is a pinion 17 (see Fig. 2), which, when the cover plate is in its closed position, as shown in F igs. 1 and 5, normally meshes with a pinion 18 on the inner end of a stub shaft 19 journaled in the side frame members 10. Said stub shaft projects beyond the frame member 10, where it has a ratchet wheel 16 which, like the ratchet 16, is rotated step by step in a manner soon to appear.

Fixed on the shafts 13 and 1st, are a plurality of ribbon spools 13 and 14: respectively arranged in pairs in tandem, and a t'ansfer or ink ribbon 20 associated with each pair of spools. 13 and 14L. The ribbon 20 from one spool 13, passes through slots 20 in the cover plate, over and above the platen bar 21 and then to the other spool 1e associated therewith.

A record strip 22, fed from a supply roll 23, passes over the platen beneath the ribits t eater bon 20, to be wound upon a record rewind of engagement with the ratchet l6 and roll 2%. A check strip 1s associated with will permlt the pawl to engage the each ribbon and passes through the cover plate 11 above the ribbon 20, there being suitable openings in the cover plate, above the platen bar to expose the check strip to view, so that it may be written upon, said ribbon transferring the inscription to the record strip. The record strip is fed in proper manner by a lever plate 26 on the cover plate, which lever has a pawl to engage with an arm 27 to actuate a feed roll 28 associated with each record strip. Bill of the arms 27 extend through and are suitably supported by a bar 29 which is fixed at its ends to the side frame members 10, 10. in a plane vertically above the front ribbon roll shaft 14-.

30 indicates a lever which is pivoted at 31 to the frame member 10, at a point be tween and below the shafts i l and 19, so as to swing or rec: in a plane parallel to said frame member. This lever has two oppositely disposed, relatively long and short pawls 82, 33 pivoted to its top end. llhe long pawl 32 is associated with the ratchet l6 on the stub shaft 19 while the short pawl 33 is associated with the ratchet it on the ribbon shaft let. A spring carried by the lever 30 near its to end, normally tends to hold both pawls in engagement with their associated ratchet wheels.

35 indicates a bifurcated plate which pivoted on a screw 36 in the frame member 10, in a plane vertically above the pivot 31 oil the lever 30. This plate which is capable of a rocking movement upon the screw 36, includes oppositely disposed, depending legs 37 and 38, one associated with each pawl 32 and 33 respectively, and sub stantially long and short, upwardly disposed arms 39. and respectively. Each arm carries a yielding locking dog 39 and 40 respectively, one associated with each ratchet wheel 16 and Normally, the parts are so arranged that when the leg 37 is out of engagement with the pawl 32, the spring 3 iholds said pawl in engagement with the ratchet 16 and the leg 38 will engage the pawl 38 to hold it out engagement with the ratchet b3. When the pawl 32 engages the ratchet 16, the locking dog 40 also engages the said ratchet and the locking dog 89 is out of engagement with the pawl 16, as shown in Fig. 1.

With the parts in the position just described, and when the lever 30 is actuated, as will be presen ly lescribed, the pawl 32 will actuate the ratchet 16 to wind up the ribbons on the spools 13 the ribbons unwinding from the spools 1d. Nhen the bifurcated plate 35 is rocked, as will pres ently appear, into the position shown in Fig. 2, the leg 37 will hold the pawl 82 out ratchet l6. l Vhen the parts a "e in this position and the lever 80 i acto 'ed, the ribbon spools in will act as rewlnd spools,- the ribbons then unwinding from the spools 13.

The lever 30 is actuated as follows: if, indicates the master operating le er or the cash register mechanism, which lever is pivoted at 43 to the frame member 10. 'ihis lever includes a short arm at its bottom end which is connected by a linlr is with an arm 46, pivoted to the rear end o the frame as at 47. Said arin is opcratively connected to a pawl e28 wli. l ratchet 49 on the end or the 1' roll 2%, to wind up the record the link 45 is a pin d5 which forked bottom end of When the master lever is short arm l will cause a rears a ment oi the linlr by reason 0 nection between said linl: and the and the top end 01'? said lever forwardly and cause that engagement with its associated ran 1 feed said pawl to wind up the ribbms on the spools of the associated l l li'alll movement 01" the master 1 I the link 45, arm 46 and p2 record rewino roll be up the record strip ther master lever $2 is release the several parts to the ready to operate upon the i; of said master lever.

ll hen, in the unwindin ends of the ribbons on the p approached, a suitable means cally actuated to rock the bi'hc 35, so as to disengage t ratchet which is operativm rewind shaft and the sp permit the other pawl to j ciatod ratchet so that the specs o iirst instance acted as the supply spools, will now be the rewind spooh e ribbons will be wound upon the other spools, which i ribbon supply spools. This lows:

That part oi? the ribbon between the end frame men first adjacent spool llr, is W and on said shaft he threaded engagement ther 50 which travels endwise o rotation of said shalt, (so according to. the direc on shaft rotates. This sleeve carriestally extending stud in f screw which projects through a hole 52 in the bottom end of a swing 53. Said lever (shown in in a is pivoted at its top end on a screw 5'1 secured in the bar 29 before mentioned, and has a part in its middle which is punched and bent out to provide a rearward extension 55. In said extension is a vertically arranged hole (see Fig. 7), through which extends the bottom end of a swinging arm 56 that is pivoted on a screw 56 carried by a plate 57 (shown in detail in Fig. 8) that is movably mounted on the bar 29. An expansion coiled spring 56 surrounds said arm between the extension 55 and the enlarged head of said arm.

The plate 57 is held in position upon the bar 29 by means of screws 58 which extend through slots 59 in said plate, said slots and screws permitting of a guided, laterally shifting movement of said plate upon the bar29. Said plate is also provided between the slots 59 with another slot 60 through which the pivot of the lever 53 extends. That end of said plate near the frame member 10 has a depending, forked extension 61 which engages with the shorter arm 62 of a bell crank lever 63 (see Figs. 3, 1 and 6)- This lever is pivoted to a bracket 64 at the end of the bar 29, so as to swing .or rock in a horizontal plane, and the longer arm 6-1 of said lever is extended through a hole 66 in the end frame 10. Said long arm is connected by a link 67 to a rearward extension 68 rigidly fixed to the top end of the long arm 39 of the bifurcated lever plate 35.

The operation of the reversing mechanism is as follows: When the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the spools in on the ribbon shaft 1 1 will act as the rewind spools to take off and wind up the ribbons from the spools-13 on the shaft 13. In each movement of the master lever 42, to actuate the cash registermechanism, the top end of the lever 30 is caused to swing forwardly, the pawl 33 imparting a short rotative movement to the ratchet 16 and ribbon spool shaft 1 1. The dog 39 prevents backward movement of the ratchet when the pawl 33 is disengaged from the said ratchet in the return movement of the master lever 12. As this shaft 1 1 is thus rotated step by step, it will draw the ribbon from the spools 13, the shaft 13 and its associated ratchet 16 being free from engagement with the associated pawl 32 and dog 10.

As this rotative movement is imparted to the shaft 14;, the sleeve 50 thereon will travel endwise on said shaft from the position shown in Fig. 3 toward the end frame member 10, into the position shown in Fig. 6. In its endwise traveling movement, said sleeve will, through the stud 51, swing the lever 53 slowly toward the right, as shown in Fig. 3. In this swinging movement, the arm 56 is also caused to swing, the spring 58 being compressed by reason of the shortening up of the distance between the pivot 56 and the extension 55 on the lever 53. When the center line of the lever 53 swings through and beyond the plane of a line passing through the axis of the pivots 54 and 56, the said spring will tend to again expand. This expansion of the spring will exert an upward movement to the lever 56 and assaid lever is pivoted tothe movable plate 57, and as said plate is so guided that it can only move laterally or endwise, a quick lateral shift or movement of said plate will take place.

This movement of the plate (away from the frame 10, as shown in Fig. 6) will, through the depending fork extension 61, impart a swinging movement to the bell crank 63. Said bell crank will, through the link 67, rock the bifurcated lever 35 so that the leg 37 is disengaged from the pawl 32, which will engage its associated ratchet 16 and the leg 38 will engage the pawl 33 and remove it from operative engagement with the ratchet 16. In this rocking movement of the bifurcated lever 35, the dog 39* is withdrawn from ratchet 16 and the dog 10 will engage the ratchet 16 The parts are shown in this last mentioned position in Fig. 1.

In the further operation of the master lever 42, the rocking lever 30 will cause the pawl 32 to pull upon the ratchet 16 to impart a short, rotative movement to it, which movement will be transmitted to the ribbon shaft 13 through the gears 18 and 17. The shaft 13 will be rotated step by step in a direction opposite to that of the ratchet. In the rotation of the shaft 13, the spools 13 thereon will pull or draw the ribbons from the spools 1 1 and wind said ribbons upon the spools 13 so that the spools 13 and 1 1, which were supply and rewind spools respectively, are reversed in operation and are now the rewind and supply spools respectively.

As the ribbon is unwound from the spools 1 1, a reverse rotation is imparted to the shaft 14, causing the sleeve to travel endwise of the shaft and away from the frame (toward the left as shown in Fig. 6). Said sleeve in its movement will swing the lever 53 and again produce a compression of the spring 58 which spring will act after the center line of the lever has been swung through the vertical line of the pivot 56, to quickly shift or snap the plate 57 toward the left, just as before described. Said plate will, in its movement, swing the bell crank lever 63, which in turn will rock the bifurcated plate 35 to release the pawl 42 from engagement with the ratchet 16 and permit the pawl 33 to again engage the ratchet 16, as shown in Fig. 2.

The parts are so positioned that as the ends of the ribbons on one set of spools are being approached, the sleeve 50 is in that position wherein it will more the lever '25 to actuate the arm 56 to shift the plate 57, which in turn will change the feed from one set of spools to the other.

It is apparent that my improved ribbon reversing mechanism has many advantages. It positively and automatically shifts the feed of the ribbon from one set of spools to the other, when the ends of said ribbon are approached, and therefore thereis no danger of stripping the ribbons from the spools.

Said reversing means comprises but few parts which are easily assembled and which cannot get out of order.

While in describing my invention, 1 have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement of parts, ant have referred to the same as being used in connection with a cash register mechanism, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as maybe pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An automatic reversing mechanism for ink ribbons comprising in combination, two ribbon spool shafts, a ribbon spool on. each shaft, a ratchet wheel operatively connected to each shaft, a pawl associated with each ratchet wheel to impart'a step by step, rotative movementthereto, a lever plate for alternately holding one of said pawls out of engagement with its associated ratchet wheel and at the same time permitting the other device to engage with its associated ratchet wheel, a sleeve movable ends on one of said shafts in the rotation of said shaft, a support, a lever pivoted on said support and operatively connected to said sleeve and adapted to be swung thereby, a plate movable on said support and operatively connected to said lever plate, and means between. said swinging lever and said plate to shift said plate to actuate said lever plate upon the approach of the end of the ribbon on either of said shafts.

2. An automatic reversing mechanism for ink ribbons comprising in combination, two ribbon spool shafts, a ribbon spool on each shaft, a ratchet wheel operatii 'ely conn cted to each shaft, a pawl associated with each ratchet wheel to impart a step by step, rotative movement thereto, a lever plate for alternately holding one of said pawls out of engagement with its associated ratchet wheel and at the same time permitting the other device toengage with its associated ratchet Wheel, a sleeve movable endwise on one of said shafts in the rotation of said shaft, a support, .a lever pivoted on said support and operatively connected to said sleeve and to be swung thereby, a plate movable onsaid support and operatively connected to said lever, and a spring actuated device between said swinging lever and said plate to shift said plate to actuate said lever plate upon the approach of the end of the ribbon on either of said shafts.

3. An automatic reversing mechanism for ink ribbons comprising in combination, an upright frame member, two horizontal ribbon spool shafts, a ribbon spool on each shaft, a ratchetwheel operatively connected to each shaft without the frame member, a swinging lever on said frame member, pawls carried by said lever, one associated with each ratchet wheel to impart a step by step rotative movement thereto, a lever plate also pivoted on said frame members for alternately holding one of said pawls out of engagement with its associated ratchet wheel and at the same time permitting the other pawl to engage with its associated ratchet wheel, ratchet holding dogs on said lever plate, a sleeve movable endwise on one of said spool shafts in the rotation thereof, and means operable bysaid sleeve as it approaches the limit .of its endwise movement on said shaft to shift said lever plate, said means. including parts extending through said frame member.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiixmy signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 5th day of December, A. D. 1918.

EDWARD W. HART.

l i itnesses JANE: MoIN'rmu, M. Hroxs. 

